Mobile apparatus for dispensing coiled cable and the like



Jan. 27, 1970 J- L. sAwYER ETAL 3,491,967

MOBILE APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING COILED CABLE AND THE LIKE Filed Aug 28 1967 INVENTOR.

JAMES L. SAWYEE FKS. 2 v JAMES w I-IARBERI 7U M ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,491,967 MOBILE APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING COILED CABLE AND THE LIKE James L. Sawyer, 5209 S. Manitou, Littleton, Colo. 80120, and James W. Harbert, 1783 S. Uinta Way, Denver, Colo. 80023 Filed Aug. 28, 1967, Ser. No. 663,578 Int. Cl. B6511 75/40 US. Cl. 242129 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Dispensing apparatus for coiled cable and the like having a cable receptacle rotatably mounted on a frame having undersurfaces thereof and adapted to seat on support surfaces to position the receptacle for uncOiling and dispensing the cable at job locations. Wheel-mounted frame for vehicular movement of receptacle and frame by one or two persons with wheels being adjustable laterally of the frame to accommodate various widths of available support surfaces with said wheels being quickly demountable from the frame.

Specification This invention in general relates to apparatus for support of coiled elongated members and more particularly to an assembly for the transport and dispensing of cable in coiled form and the like.

Various types of elongated members of substantial length such as wire, straps, cable and bands have many uses particularly in the building and construction trade. An example of one such use is in the formation of prestressed molded concrete structures wherein heavy steel cable is used as a tension member. In such an application selected lengths of cable are operatively associated with the concrete structure and are placed under tension so as to oppose stresses later produced in the concrete structure when it is in place under loaded conditions.

Cables suitable for such tensioning are generally provided by fabricators and delivered to the point of use as a coil of substantial length with straps or the like holding the cable in coiled form. As wound, such coils of heavy steel cable exert substantial tension radially of the coil and thus are diflicult to handle and may be hazardous to personnel when the straps holding the cable are removed for use of the cable. When this cable is required for use at a particular job location such as at the top of a multiple story building difficulty is encountered in transporting such tensioning cables along the top of the building to the point of use.

Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a simple, durable and efficient dispensing assembly for coiled cable and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel cage-like receptacle into which a length of coiled cable, such as post tensioning cable, is easily inserted, will maintain such cable having substantial radial forces in coiled form when the straps holding the coil are released, and from which a length of such cable is easily dispensed.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a mobile dispensing assembly for coils of cable and the like which may be easily transported to a job location and requires a minimum of manpower to transport to and to dispense lengths of cable at said location.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a wheel-mounted dispensing assembly for coils of cable in which the spacing of the wheels is laterally adjustable to adjust to various support surfaces along which the assembly is moved at job locations.

Other objects, advantages, and capabilities of the present invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile dispensing assembly embodying features of this invention with a coil of cable shown disposed in the receptacle portion thereof;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the mobile dispensing assembly shown in FIG. 1 illustrated in a dispensing position with an undersurface portion of the frame seated on a pair of spaced upright support members such as joists frequently found at the top of a building under construction;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 1 showing the adjustable mounting of the frame and receptacle on the wheels and a demounting coupling for removing the wheel from the frame;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along lines 44 of FIG. 1 showing the rotary mounting of the receptacle on a central portion of the frame; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along lines 55 of FIG. 2 showing another portion of the mounting of the frame on the wheels.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a mobile dispensing assembly which, in general, includes a receptacle 2 having an elongated member of substantial length hereinafter referred to as a cable 3 shown in coiled form contained therein. This receptacle 2 is mounted for rotation on and is in spaced relation to a support structure or frame 4 which provides a stationary base during rotation of the receptacle. Wheels 5 and 6 are mounted at each side of the frame and depend downwardly therefrom for vehicular movement of the assembly over a support surface represented for illustration purposes as spaced stationary support structure 7 and 8 which may be for example spaced joist members at the top of a building under construction.

Receptacle 2 as shown in elevation in FIG. 2 comprises a flat bottom wall portion 2a, an upright side wall portion 21; and an overhanging wall portion 2c defining a narrowed opening at the top of the receptacle through which the coiled cable 3 is inserted and out of which an end portion 3a extends for dispensing said cable as hereinafter described. A preferred form of durable, lightweight cage-like construction is shown wherein the receptacle is formed of a plurality of hollow, tubular members preferably of metal. As shown, a plurality (eight) of tubular members are secured at their inner lower end portions to a common hub member 11 and extend radially, outwardly therefrom to first form the bottom wall portion 2a and then shaped to extend upwardly to form the side wall portion 2b. They then turn inwardly to form the overhanging wall portion 2c. An endless tubular member 12 (shown as circular) is secured at the upper ends of these radially extending tubular members to form a circumferentially extending continuous surface against which one end of the cable is moved during dispensing. An intermediate endless tubular member 13 (shown as circular) is provided which surrounds and is attached to the side wall portions 2b for added strengths to contain the cable 3 therein. A preferred manner of joining the tubular members to form the cage-like receptacle is by the welding of adjoining surface portions.

In practice for example when cable 3 is a steel cable used for post tensioning concrete members, it is usually delivered to the dispenser wound in a coiled form of lesser diameter than the top opening and is secured by several straps or the like (not shown) wrapped around the turns in spaced circumferential relationship. After this coil of cable has been placed in the receptacle the straps are cut and the cable which is under substantial tension expands and exerts substantial radial forces against the side wall portion 2b and to a lesser degree against the bottom and overhanging portions 2a and 2c. The outer end So of the cable is then extended through the narrowed opening at the top as shown and the cable will be unwound or uncoiled from the receptacle upon rotation thereof.

The cage-like receptacle 2 as above described using a plurality of radially extending tubular members which are substantially continuous in lengthwise extent and shaped so as to turn upwardly and inwardly at their upper end portions are sufliciently durable to oppose the substantial forces exerted radially by the coiled cable such as steel post tensioning cable so as to maintain such cable in coiled form for dispensing and at the same time is of a sufficiently lightweight to be easily moved and manually operated by one or two persons. Further, the substantial spacing between the tubular members provide easy access for removal of the straps initially holding the cable in coiled form without danger of injury to personnel upon their removal.

A ring-like member 15 is shown secured in an upright manner as by welding to the hub member 11 to facilitate the movement of the assembly to an elevated point of usage as by a crane or the like. The hook of a crane engages member 15 so as to elevate the dispensing assembly with cable contained therein as for example to the top of a multi-story building under construction.

The frame 4 upon which the receptacle 2 is mounted includes a base portion 16 which functions to support the receptacle on the various types of stationary structure at the job location for rotation about an upright axis of rotation during dispensing of the cable and provides surfaces for the mounting of wheels 5 and 6 thereon as described hereafter. A preferred form of durable lightweight construction for the base portion 16 includes a centrally disposed plate 17 having elongated transverse members 18 and 19 secured at upper and lower surfaces thereon disposed in spaced, parallel relation which terminate below and slightly inwardly of the side enclosure portions of the receptacle 2. Between the transverse members there is provided elongated longitudinal members 21 and 22 disposed in spaced, parallel relation outwardly of the plate 17 and secured at contacting surfaces with the transverse members 18 and 19. These transverse and longitudinal members are preferably of a hollow, tubular, lightweight metal.

As shown, the mounting of the receptacle on the frame is provided by means of a shaft or spindle 23 disposed in an upright position on plate 17 having spaced upper and lower bearings 24 and 25 mounted thereon. The hub member 11 includes a hollow portion which fits over the shaft and engages the bearing so the hub members will rotate about an essentially vertical axis when disposed in an upright position as shown in FIG. 4.

The mounting of the frame 4 on wheels 5 and 6 for vehicular movement is the same for both wheels and includes an upper slidable coupling member generally designated by numeral 28 comprising spaced, parallel tubular portions 31 and 32 of approximately the same length as the width of the associated wheels. Tubular portions 31 and 32 are arranged on transverse members 18 and 19 in slide-fitting relation so as to permit their slidable movement lengthwise thereof on each side of plate 17. These tubular portions are held in spaced relation by a spacer portion 33 indicated as a detachable twopiece construction arranged in lapping relation and secured by a fastener 30 such as a bolt for ease in detachment of the wheels from the frame by detaching the fastener 30 and sliding tubular portion 32 beyond the outer extremity of transverse member 19.

An upright interconnecting portion 34 is secured at its upper end to the upper coupling member 28 and more specifically to the outer end of tubular portion 32 and its associated portion of spacer 33 and extends downwardly from and normally to the associated tubular members 31 and 32 in a depending manner. A shaft or spindle 35 is mounted on the lower end of the upright portion 34 and turns inwardly therefrom. The wheel is mounted on the shaft 35 in bearings as shown. In this manner the coupling member 28 is disposed on the transverse members 18 and 19 in overlying relation to the associated wheels. A locking member in the form of a bolt 36 threads into the tubular portion 32 to engage the transverse member 18 for holding the wheels 5 and 6 at selected spaced intervals.

As viewed in elevation in FIG. 2, the upright portion 34 is substantially inclined with the horizontal lengthwise of the assembly so as to displace or offset the point of ground contact of the wheels from the center or axis of rotation of the receptacle. This oifset feature unbalances the weight distribution of the assembly so that the lower end portions 21a and 22a of the lengthwise members 21 and 22 at the heavier end of the assembly will extend to seat on available support structure herein illustrated for purpose of explanation as a block 40 which will tilt or incline the assembly at an angle with the horizontal depending on the relation in elevation of the respective upper surfaces of block 40 and supports 7 and 8.

Since the usual support surface for the assembly will be coplanar for the contact surfaces 21a and 22a and the wheels the usual at-rest position, the receptacle will therefore be inclined along a line indicated by broken lines 50. In this at-rest position the axis of rotation of the receptacle remains essentially upright but inclined to the horizontal. In this inclined at-rest position the receptacle will rotate to dispense cable as required. Such an inclination will dispose a portion of the top of the receptacle at a lower elevation which is advantageous in assisting in the dispensing operation when heavier cable is being handled.

A handle arrangement is provided for grasping by the user or operator for movement of the assembly as required. Preferably, this handle arrangement is formed as an integral part of frame 4 by extending portions 36 and 37 of the lengthwise tubular members 21 and 22 upwardly and outwardly at each end which terminate at approximately the same elevation as the top of the receptacle to form an essentially cradle-like frame structure outwardly of the extremities of the receptacle. Grip members 41 and 42 extend transversely of and are joined at the ends to assoclatedppper ends of the extensions 36 and 37. The outer upturmng portion 21a and 22a of the lengthwise members at the tilted end of the frame in addition provides a friction contact surface for seating one end of the frame on the support surface designated 40 in the generally horizontal at-rest position shown in FIG. 1.

From the foregoing description of the apparatus it should be appreciated that the present invention provides an assembly which is extremely versatile in the manner 1n WhlCh it may be moved at a construction location and handled by one or two persons to dispense cable at said location. In one instance the wheels may be quickly demounted from the frame and a person at each end may lift the assembly by grasping the grip members and carry it manually to the point of use where the receptacle will then be supported solely on the undersurface of the frame. In another instance with the wheels mounted as shown one person may push the assembly by grasping the grip member at either end and push it in either direction to a desired location. If only certain widths of sup porting surfaces are available as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, then the spacing of the wheels may be adjusted before such pushing movement.

Upon reaching the point of use the receptacle may be rotated while on incline with the wheels and one end portion of the frame engaging the support structure (FIG. 1) or by lifting the assembly at each end and rotating as if through an arc of 90 degrees from the direction of vehicular travel so the undersurface of the base portion will seat on or engage spaced joists (FIG. 2).

Thus the term mobile as applied to the dispensing apparatus is intended to describe apparatus which may be easily lifted and carried manually by persons, pushed in a vehicular movement on wheels, or elevated and moved by a crane or the like as above described.

The mobility feature of the present invention is further exemplified by the fact that dispensing apparatus embodying the features of the type herein described and shown suitable for dispensing heavy post tensioning cable with a receptacle having an outside diameter of about 56 inches and an inside diameter of about 48 inches had a total weight of only about 190 pounds.

While the apparatus herein described constitutes the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise form of apparatus shown and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A mobile dispensing assembly for coils of cable and the like comprising a support structure, a cage-like receptacle arranged for containing a cable in coiled form mounted for rotation on said support structure about an upright axis of rotation, said receptacle including side enclosure portions disposed outwardly of the periphery of said cable and overhanging portions extending inwardly at the top of said side portions to define a narrowed opening through which said cable extends for dispensing said cable from said receptacle upon rotation of said receptacle, said support structure including grip means at each end for manual carriage of the assembly.

2. A dispensing assembly for coils of cable and the like suitable for transport to a job location comprising a cage-like receptacle arranged for containing a cable in coiled form and having an opening in an upper end portion through which said coil of cable is inserted and out of which an end of said cable extends and a frame having a base portion for supporting said receptacle against sliding movement on a stationary support surface for rotation about an upright axis of rotation for dispensing said cable through said opening upon rotation of said receptacle and a wheel mounted at each side of said frame for vehicular movement of the frame and receptacle assembly.

3. A dispensing assembly as set forth in claim 2 where in said wheels are offset from the receptacle and frame so as to incline the receptacle when supported on said wheels, said frame including lower end portions arranged for engaging a supporting surface so as to dispose the receptacle in an inclined upright position.

4. A dispensing assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said wheels are mounted for lateral movement on said frame to adjust the spacing therebetween.

5. A dispensing assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said wheels are detachably secured on said frame.

6. A dispensing assembly for coils of cable and the like suitable for transport to a job location comprising a cage-like receptacle arranged for containing a cable in coiled form and having a narrowed opening in an upper end portion through which said coil of cable is inserted and out of which an end of said cable extends, a frame having a base portion for supporting said receptacle for rotation about an upright axis of rotation for dispensing said cable through said narrowed opening upon rotation of said receptacle, said frame inclusive of spaced transversely extending tubular members disposed in side by side relation, and means for mounting a wheel on each of said tubular members for vehicular movement of said receptacle, each said mounting means including an upper portion arranged for slidable movement along said tubular members and depending lower portion having a shaft upon which a wheel is rotatably mounted.

7. A dispenser assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said mounting means includes means for locking the upper portion of said mounting means against movement on said tubular members.

8. A dispensing assembly for coils of cable and the like suitable for transport to a job location comprising a cage-like receptacle arranged for containing a cable in coiled form and having a narrowed opening in an upper end portion through which said coil of cable is inserted and out of which an end of said cable extends, a frame having a base portion for supporting said receptacle for rotation about an upright axis of rotation for dispensing said cable through said narrowed opening upon rotation of said receptacle, wheels rotatably supported on the frame for vehicular movement thereof, said frame including at least a pair of spaced longitudinally extending tubular members extending forwardly and rearwardly of the wheels for engaging the upper surface portions of an upright spaced support structure at a job location with the wheels disposed in a depending manner between said support structure when the frame is turned through an angle of about degrees with respect to its usual direction of travel during vehicular transport for supporting said receptacle in an upright position on said support structure.

9. A mobile dispensing assembly for coils of cable and the like comprising a cage-like receptacle for containing a cable in coiled form and having a central hub, said receptacle having a narrower opening in an upper end portion into which said coil of cable is inserted and out of which the ends of the cable extend, and a frame disposed in spaced proximity to the receptacle for supporting said receptacle on a support surface for its rotation about a generally upright axis to dispense said cable through said opening upon rotation of said receptacle, said frame including a base portion under the receptacle adapted to engage said central hub for rotation thereon and an upwardly directed side portion extending from opposite ends of said base portion terminating in a handle grip at each end for pushing movement and manual carriage of the assembly.

10. A mobile dispensing assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said support frame includes a pair of correspondingly shaped tubular members bent upwardly along their length with their upper ends being joined by a transverse tubular member to form said handle grips.

11. A mobile dispensing assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said base portion includes a second pair of spaced tubular members disposed transversely to and engaging said first-mentioned pair of tubular members, said tubular members being interconnected at engaging surfaces, said second pair of tubular members supporting a centrally disposed shaft on which said hub of said receptacle is rotatably supported.

12. A mobile dispensing assembly for coils of cable and the like comprising a support structure, a cage-like receptacle arranged for containing a cable in coiled form and mounted for rotation on said support structure about a generally upright axis of rotation, said receptacle including a centrally disposed hub, a plurality of continuous 7 i tubular members of a similar size and shape radiating outwardly from the base of the hub, each said tubular member having a generally straight bottom portion secured at its inner end at the base of the hub, an upright side portion and an inturned overhanging portion, an endless tubular member secured at the inturned ends of said overhanging portions to form a narrowed opening through which the coiled cable is inserted and out of which an end of the cable extends for dispensing said cable from said intermediate endless member encompassing and secured to said side portions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS receptacle upon the rotation of said receptacle and an 10 LEONARD D. CHRISTIAN, Primary Examiner 

